Everything before you book.

Same house, same calendar, same hosts, at a lower rate. We charge the same lodging tax the platforms do, so it is a true apples-to-apples comparison, then we hand part of the platform's service fee back to you as a 5% direct-booking discount with no separate booking fee. Stay with us again and you also get a 5% welcome-back discount. Our calendar and pricing stay in sync across our Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com listings, so the availability and rates you see here are always current.

Yes. Bayshore Getaway is a whole five-bedroom house, not a condo or a shared space. Three floors, an elevator, two kitchens, a private floating dock, a heated dip pool, and a full game floor. It sleeps eleven, which makes it a fit for family reunions, multi-generational trips, and groups that want everyone under one roof.

Yes, you can find us on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, all running the same live calendar in real time. Booking direct on this site gets you the same house and the same dates without the platform service fee, so it is about 5% cheaper, with a welcome-back discount the next time you stay.

It depends on what you want to do. For manatees, come November through March, with peak counts late December through mid-February. For scalloping, the season runs roughly July 1 through September 24 (the FWC sets the exact dates each year). The spring-fed water stays 72°F year-round, so spring and fall are ideal for kayaking and snorkeling with warm air and thinner crowds. Manatee season and scallop season book up first, so reserve those dates early.

Crystal River is the only place in the United States where you can legally swim with wild manatees, which gather by the hundreds in the 72°F springs each winter. It is also known for the clear spring-fed water around Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs, summer bay scalloping, and inshore fishing for snook, redfish, and tarpon. It is a small Nature Coast town about 90 minutes north of Tampa.

A long weekend of three to four days is enough to swim with manatees, kayak the springs, eat downtown, and spend a day on the water. A full week lets you add scalloping or a fishing charter in summer, day trips to Rainbow Springs and Weeki Wachee, and slower mornings on the dock. Most of our guests stay three to seven nights.

Yes. Availability and pricing on this site update in real time and stay in sync with our Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com listings. If a date shows available here, it's actually available everywhere.

Eleven, across five real bedrooms. King primary suite on the main floor. Two queen bedrooms with private baths on the third floor. A queen-twin bunk room on the third floor. A fifth bedroom on the ground floor with its own full bath. Six beds total.

The full home, driveway parking, outdoor living areas, balconies, heated dip pool, dock, game room, bar kitchen, tiki bar, fire pit, putting green, dog turf area, and waterfront spaces. You also have full use of the washer and dryer, both kitchens, the elevator, and the entertainment level (pool table, ping pong, air hockey, arcade games, darts, board games on the second-floor desk, and the four-TV wall). Three small areas are locked for owner storage: one closet in the master bedroom and two downstairs storage closets. Everything else is yours.

Self check-in via a Yale smart lock. You'll get a door code 24 hours before arrival that works for your entire stay. Check-in 4 PM, check-out 10 AM. We almost always say yes to a late check-out if the calendar allows. Just ask.

We want guests to have a smooth, private, relaxing stay. You won't see us, but we are available by message before and during your stay. If something comes up at the house, message us right away and we'll handle it quickly.

Yes. Maximum two small dogs, 25 lbs each. $150 pet fee per stay. No cats or other animals without prior written approval. We have a dog-friendly artificial turf area with bags, an outdoor trash can, and a hose for cleanup. Please supervise pets, keep them off furniture and beds, and clean up after them. Guests are responsible for pet-related damage or extra cleaning.

Manatee season runs roughly November 15 through March 31, peak January and February. They gather in Crystal River specifically because the springs hold 72° while the Gulf drops into the 50s. From May through October you'll occasionally see a year-round resident, but for the postcard experience, book in winter.

No. We do not keep kayaks, paddleboards, or a boat at the house. You're welcome to bring your own boat: tie up at the private floating dock or use the boat lift. To rent paddle boards or kayaks, Manatee Paddle (downtown Crystal River) will deliver them to the house and pick them up, which a recent guest did and loved; Hunter Springs Kayak Rentals, River Ventures, and Crystal River Watersports also rent kayaks and paddleboards. For powerboats, Twin Rivers Marina is the closest, with Plantation Marina, Crystal River Watersports, and Pete's Pier also renting pontoons and center consoles. All five to fifteen minutes from the house.

We don't recommend it. The canal bottom near the dock is rocky and oyster-edged. Use Hunter Springs Park's free public launch or any of the rental shops downtown. Better water entry, no risk to feet or boards.

Yes. The floating dock is open anytime to tie up your own kayak or boat. The boat lift is available to guests too: send us a quick message and we'll get you set up, since it takes a specific two-button sequence we'd rather walk you through than have it jam. The canal is tidal and gets shallow around low tide, especially in winter. We recommend boats 27 feet or smaller for the canal; guests are responsible for checking tide charts, confirming their boat's draft, and planning both departure and return windows.

Three stories, fully operational, available for guests who need help with stairs or for moving luggage and groceries between floors. Three rules: maximum two people at a time, every elevator door on every floor must be fully closed before it will move, and children may not use the elevator without adult supervision. If the elevator won't move, walk each floor and confirm every door is shut.

Yes, but the heater takes time to warm up. If you want the pool heated for arrival, message us a day or two ahead so we can run it in time.

A few practical notes. (1) On the ground floor, only the middle sliding doors open; the side sliders are decorative. (2) The ground-floor mini-split remote must be pointed directly at the unit to change settings — it looks like a thermostat but it's a remote. (3) As with any Florida waterfront home, mosquitoes and no-see-ums are around at dawn, dusk, and after rain. We provide bug spray; bring your preferred repellent if you have one. (4) Please do not flush wipes, feminine products, paper towels, or anything other than toilet paper.

Exterior cameras only, located outside the property for guest safety and property protection. There are no cameras inside the home or in any private guest areas.

Full refund up to 14 days before check-in. Partial refund inside 14 days; exact terms are confirmed before payment.

Minimum stay varies by date and season. The booking calendar shows the current minimum-stay rule for the arrival date you choose before it gives you a quote, so the requirement you see is always accurate for your dates.

Park in the driveway and on the rock beds beside it. If you have extra vehicles, there's overflow parking by the tennis court. The converted ground-floor game room is open for guest use but is not for parking.